<p>Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Monday hailed the Union Budget as “a speed booster” for the pandemic-hit economy.</p>.<p>“It is impossible to expect a better budget amidst the pandemic. Despite that, this is a pro-poor and pro-middle class budget,” Yediyurappa said in a statement, calling the Union Budget a “catalyst that can revive this sluggish economy.” </p>.<p>According to Yediyurappa, the announcement of Rs 14,778 crore for 58 km of Bengaluru Metro is “the biggest gift to Karnataka from our own finance minister.” </p>.<p>“It is commendable to note Rs 3.30 lakh crore allocated under Bharat Mala to improve road connectivity in the country and Rs 3 lakh crore to the power sector,” Yediyurappa said, welcoming other announcements all other allocations such as Rs 35,000 crore for Covid-19 vaccination, Rs 16.5 lakh crore for agriculture credit, Rs 1.10 lakh for railway projects and Rs 18,000 crore for bus transport system that he said will help reduce traffic congestion in urban areas. </p>.<p><strong><a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/business/union-budget/budget-pushes-health-infra-spends-no-change-in-personal-income-tax-slabs-no-covid-19-cess-946002.html" target="_blank">Read | Budget pushes health, infra spends; no change in personal income tax slabs; no Covid-19 cess</a></strong></p>.<p>Leader of the Opposition Siddaramaiah, however, panned the Union Budget, mocking it as ‘Aatma-barbara’ (barbarian). “There’s nothing in it for those who lost jobs and small, medium enterprises that shut shop during the lockdown,” he said. </p>.<p>Siddaramaiah also criticised the new Agri cess ranging from 2.5% to 100% on various commodities. “On one hand, they’ve reduced import duty. On the other hand, they’ve imposed agri cess on fertilizers, apples, equipment...I don’t understand this economy,” he said. “Instead, they could’ve provided interest-free loans to farmers.” </p>.<p>The Budget does not state what the Centre will do with the Agri cess as “no new programmes have been announced for farmers,” he said.</p>
<p>Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Monday hailed the Union Budget as “a speed booster” for the pandemic-hit economy.</p>.<p>“It is impossible to expect a better budget amidst the pandemic. Despite that, this is a pro-poor and pro-middle class budget,” Yediyurappa said in a statement, calling the Union Budget a “catalyst that can revive this sluggish economy.” </p>.<p>According to Yediyurappa, the announcement of Rs 14,778 crore for 58 km of Bengaluru Metro is “the biggest gift to Karnataka from our own finance minister.” </p>.<p>“It is commendable to note Rs 3.30 lakh crore allocated under Bharat Mala to improve road connectivity in the country and Rs 3 lakh crore to the power sector,” Yediyurappa said, welcoming other announcements all other allocations such as Rs 35,000 crore for Covid-19 vaccination, Rs 16.5 lakh crore for agriculture credit, Rs 1.10 lakh for railway projects and Rs 18,000 crore for bus transport system that he said will help reduce traffic congestion in urban areas. </p>.<p><strong><a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/business/union-budget/budget-pushes-health-infra-spends-no-change-in-personal-income-tax-slabs-no-covid-19-cess-946002.html" target="_blank">Read | Budget pushes health, infra spends; no change in personal income tax slabs; no Covid-19 cess</a></strong></p>.<p>Leader of the Opposition Siddaramaiah, however, panned the Union Budget, mocking it as ‘Aatma-barbara’ (barbarian). “There’s nothing in it for those who lost jobs and small, medium enterprises that shut shop during the lockdown,” he said. </p>.<p>Siddaramaiah also criticised the new Agri cess ranging from 2.5% to 100% on various commodities. “On one hand, they’ve reduced import duty. On the other hand, they’ve imposed agri cess on fertilizers, apples, equipment...I don’t understand this economy,” he said. “Instead, they could’ve provided interest-free loans to farmers.” </p>.<p>The Budget does not state what the Centre will do with the Agri cess as “no new programmes have been announced for farmers,” he said.</p>
